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New build headless 6 string singlecut
- Thread starter scottyd
- Start date
I got the bass mocked up yesterday and it surprisingly plays great even without any fret leveling. I wired the pup up to a jack and it too sounds great.
Except for one thing
, when wired in parallel or series the C string becomes tinny sounding. All of the strings have great punch and definition but the C just sounds totally out of character with the rest of the strings.
When the coils are split they both sound fine through all strings including the C. The neck coil however has a little more output. They arent exactly wound to the same resistance so that didnt bother me, I actually did that on purpose so when the coils are split there will be a little more difference in the sound each one produces. The thing with the C string bothered me all night however.
I went through all the motions trying to figure out what the deal was. All of the magnets lined up with the strings fine, the spacing is fine, all of the magnets are showing good pull ect. Finally frustrated I called it a night and went to bed. This morning I decided to take the pickup back apart (Im glad I didnt epoxy the pup in the cover yet!) and low and behold the c string magnet on the neck side coil was out of polarity. I dont know how I missed that little blunder while building this thing. Ive got to take this little mistake on the chin and add it to my list of things not to do!
Its kind of weird to me how it really only effected the sound when in series or parallel but not split. I'm guessing that it has something to do with the need of a humbucker having each coil at different magnet polarity. Well, a valuable lesson learned, check every thing twice and the check it 2 more times! Then after you check it that last 2 times go and have a nap, wake up and check it one more time! I'll be rewinding the defective coil today, cant wait ..
Except for one thing, when wired in parallel or series the C string becomes tinny sounding. All of the strings have great punch and definition but the C just sounds totally out of character with the rest of the strings.When the coils are split they both sound fine through all strings including the C. The neck coil however has a little more output. They arent exactly wound to the same resistance so that didnt bother me, I actually did that on purpose so when the coils are split there will be a little more difference in the sound each one produces. The thing with the C string bothered me all night however.
I went through all the motions trying to figure out what the deal was. All of the magnets lined up with the strings fine, the spacing is fine, all of the magnets are showing good pull ect. Finally frustrated I called it a night and went to bed. This morning I decided to take the pickup back apart (Im glad I didnt epoxy the pup in the cover yet!) and low and behold the c string magnet on the neck side coil was out of polarity. I dont know how I missed that little blunder while building this thing. Ive got to take this little mistake on the chin and add it to my list of things not to do!
Its kind of weird to me how it really only effected the sound when in series or parallel but not split. I'm guessing that it has something to do with the need of a humbucker having each coil at different magnet polarity. Well, a valuable lesson learned, check every thing twice and the check it 2 more times! Then after you check it that last 2 times go and have a nap, wake up and check it one more time! I'll be rewinding the defective coil today, cant wait ..
No, one more reason to double check your work, Wil these are NEODYMIUM magnets......They can't be charged without special equipment, these are the magnets that are normally used to charge weaker ones......
No, one more reason to double check your work, Wil these are NEODYMIUM magnets......They can't be charged without special equipment, these are the magnets that are normally used to charge weaker ones......
another reason to use alnico magnets
I got the pickup rebuilt, and I tried it out and finally it works like a champ. I love the way this thing sounds in parallel, When I rewound the coil earlier today I went a little higher on the resistance to help further broaden the sound between the two. The best way I can explain it is you actually hear 2 frequencies at once kind of like an octave effect pedal on a lower setting. I don’t know...kind of weird really but sounds awesome. I'm really pleased with the sound I'm getting from it in all settings neck, bridge, in series, parallel they all offer a nice tonal spectrum.
With that done the bass is coming back apart and getting the frets worked, the pots arranged and then it will be time for final finish.
With that done the bass is coming back apart and getting the frets worked, the pots arranged and then it will be time for final finish.
Top shot: picture from the top of the neck, intended to show how the string retainer looks when in place.Don't quite follow you there Surburban.....sorry.
As opposite of the bottom shot, that shows the tuners...
Top shot: picture from the top of the neck, intended to show how the string retainer looks when in place.
As opposite of the bottom shot, that shows the tuners...
Lol, I'll have some up "top shots" up soon I hope, I dismantled it this morning and applied the final coats of poly. It'll will need a few days to dry and then it'll be time for final assembly.
Heres a teaser shot...
I've got her all wired up and ready to roll. The bucker is wired up split, parallel, with a series switch built into the third pot. I just lack finishing the cavity cover and polishing the brass and then this one will be ready to fly the coop...Needless to say I'm in no hurry to finish her up (I want to keep it here as long as possible!) I will get some good outdoor photos and pics of the RED fiber optics soon. Also I'm going to go ahead and post some sound clips so you guys can tell me what you think of my NEO mag pups. Hopefully you can stomach my playing...
I've got her all wired up and ready to roll. The bucker is wired up split, parallel, with a series switch built into the third pot. I just lack finishing the cavity cover and polishing the brass and then this one will be ready to fly the coop...Needless to say I'm in no hurry to finish her up (I want to keep it here as long as possible!) I will get some good outdoor photos and pics of the RED fiber optics soon. Also I'm going to go ahead and post some sound clips so you guys can tell me what you think of my NEO mag pups. Hopefully you can stomach my playing...
Thats a great idea, and thats a great bridge ! this is a great bass man ! congrats on a f****n nice job scotty !!
Scotty -
What gauges are you using? I've always thought that I'd like to get an evenness across the 6, and at one point went with a Conklin set for a 27/47/67/87/107/127 - but the upper string has to have to "meat" to it. Realizing a jazz guitar's bottom E is likely to be a 50 or 52, I won't go with anything "thin" on the top anymore. Something to keep in mind when you make mine
Almost have the down payment in hand as per our discussion!!Z
Finally! Here are some sound clips for you guys. The bass is ran into my Ampeg head (EQ flat) then to a Tascam interface and recorded with Audition 2.0 where again all eq is flat. This one really comes alive with a little boost on the treble and lows but I wanted to record it flat so you can see what it sounds like with out any manipulation.
P.S.
Never mind the sucky playing let me know what you think of the tone!
The open strings are both coils in series
The slap is both coils in parallel
The groove/chords are both coils in series
The ending chords are the neck coil only
http://www.archive.org/download/SingleCutSixer/singlecutsoundclips.mp3
P.S.
Never mind the sucky playing let me know what you think of the tone!
The open strings are both coils in series
The slap is both coils in parallel
The groove/chords are both coils in series
The ending chords are the neck coil only
http://www.archive.org/download/SingleCutSixer/singlecutsoundclips.mp3
Musiclogic
Commercial User
- Aug 6, 2005
- 6,505
- 73
- 60
- Disclosures
- Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O
I like the sounds produced but the treble side is a bit thin in places, especially the upper 2 notes played open. All in all, I think it sounds very good.
